Automobile seat structure



Nov. 24, 1953 APPLETON AUTOMOBILE SEAT STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 11, 1951 A. I. APPLETON AUTOMOBILE SEAT STRUCTURE Nov. 24, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 11, 1951 NYNYO -a (Arthur .LQq tOFL ATTOQNEY/ v Patented Nov. 24, 1953 UNITED OFFICE 15 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to the automotive field and more specifically to a novel seat structure finding particular but not exclusive utility in automobiles of the two-door type having both front and rear seats. This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier application Serial No. 208,641, now abandoned, filed in the United States Patent Office on J anuary 30, 1951.

The general aim of the invention is to provide an automobile seat structure having a selectively positionable seat unit which can be temporarily displaced from its selected position to provide greater access to the space behind such seat unit; being returned to its previous selected position after such temporary displacement.

One object of the invention is to provide a power actuated automobile seat structure having a seat unit with a tiltable back and capable of being positioned in a fore-and-aft direction by appropriate selective positioning means, the seat unit also being adapted to be temporarily displaced from and returned to its previously selected position as an incident to tilting movement of the tiltable back.

Another object is to provide an automobile seat structure with a selectively positionable power actuated seat unit of the character set forth and including means for temporarily displacing and then returning said seat unit to its selected position, such means being capable of operating in conjunction with the power actuated selective positioning system of the seat unit without disrupting the normal operation of such system.

In one of its more specific aspects, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel automobile seat structure having a seat unit capable of being selectively positioned in a fore-and-aft direction in unison with an adjacent seat unit but also being independently positionable to provide greater'access to the space behind such seat unit.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide a seat structure of the character set forth and having an independently positionable seat unit which can be subjected to a complete cycle of independent movement without changing the previously selected common position of such unit and the seat unit adjacent thereto.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as r the following description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear perspective diagrammatic view of an'automobile seat structure constituting one illustrative embodiment of the present invention and having an independently positionable seat unit arranged for selective positioning in unison with an adjacent seat unit.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the independently positionable seat unit in its extended position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view detailing the supporting and actuating mechanism for the seat structure illustrated in Fig. l.

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged side elevational views showing sequentially certain steps in the operation of the independently positionable seat unit of Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view detailing the power actuating means associated with the seat structure of Figs. 1 to 5.

Fig. 7 is a rear perspective diagrammatic view of another form of seat structure illustratively embodying a modification of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. '7 but showing the illustrative structure with the seat unit in its temporarily displaced position.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view detailing the supporting and actuating mechanism for the seat structure illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

Figs. 10 and 11 are enlarged vertical sectional views taken in the plane of the line I il-! 0 in Fig;

9 andshowing sequentially certain steps in the operation of the seat structure of Figs. 7 and 8.

Figs. 12 and 13 are enlarged side elevational views illustrating the seat unit in positions corresponding respectively to those indicated in Figs; 10 and 11. V

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain preferred embodiments have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in considerable detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring more specifically'to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, there is shown a novel seat structure [0 which illustratively embodies one aspect of the invention and happens to be adapted for use as the front seat in an automobile of the two-door type. The illustrative seat structure Ill comprises a seat unit H and an adjacent seat unit 12, together with appropriate power actuated adjusting means for controllably varying the normal position of the seat units H and H2 in unison in a fore-and-aft direction. In the present instance; the seat unit I l is susceptible of being temporarily displaced in a forward direction from the previously selected commonposition in order to provide greater access to the space behind the unit II. By the same token, the seat unit II is returnable to the common selected position after a cycle of temporary displacement. The seat unit II, which might be on the passengers side, includes a cushion I3 and a tiltable back member I4. The seat unit I2, which might be on the drivers side, includes a cushion I5 and a tiltable back It. The illustrative seat structure In is also provided with a main frame or carriage I! which is disposed in supporting and underlying relation with both of the seat units II, I2. The carriage I'I may be slidably attached to the floor of the automobile in any suitable manner and is capable of being adjustably positioned in a foreand-aft direction relative to the'fioor, permitting selective adjusting movement of both seat units in unison. Interposed between the seat unit I I and the main carriage I1 is an auxiliary frame or carriage I 5 which is movable in a fore-and-aft direction relative to the main carriage H, the cushion I3 and tiltable back member IQ of the unit II being mounted on the auxiliary carriage I8 for movement therewith. In the use of structure I 9, movement of the seat unit II in a forward direction to provide greater access to the space behind the seat units, as well as return movement of the unit I I to its original and previously selected position common to the seat unit I2, may be accomplished by the simple expedient of applying a rocking movement to the back mendber I4 of the seat unit I I.

In order to permit selective adjustment of the position of the seat units I I, I2 in unison relative to the automobile floor, the seat structure I9 is equipped in the present instance with a main hydraulic actuator I9 interposed between the main carriage I I and a bracket attached to the automobile floor, the latter being designated by the reference numeral 2|. The actuator I9 happens to be of the single acting type, comprising a cylinder 22 having a mounting arm 24 fixed to its head end for attachment to the bracket 20 (see Figs. 3 and 6). Housed within the cylinder 22 are a piston 25 and a piston rod 26 which work in opposition to a tensile loading spring 28 associated with the actuator I'9. Force is transmitted from the actuator I9 to the main carriage I] by means which in this case comprises a parallelogram linkage defined by pivotally connected links 29. One pivot element 30 between the links 29 is connected to the bracket 20 while the pivot element 3| diagonally opposite the element 39 is connected to the projecting end of the piston rod 26 as by means of an arm 32. The remaining diagonally opposed pivot elements 34, of the parallelogram linkage are connected to the main carriage I! as by means of slots 36 in cross braces 38 of the carriage.

Pressure fluid may be supplied to the main actuator I9 from a reservoir 49 by means of a pump 4I driven by an electric motor 42. The latter may conveniently be energized from the battery 44 of the automobile as by means of a relay 45 having a set of normally open switch contact 46. When driven by the motor 42. the pump 4| supplies fiui'd from the reservoir 40 to a suction conduit 48 and discharges such fluid under pressure into pressure conduit 49 which conducts it to a spring loaded relief valve 50. Slidably mounted within the valve 59 is a sleeve element 5! which is adapted to move in a direction to compress its biasing spring 52 in response to the pressure of fluid admitted from the conduit 49. Such movement permits pressure fiuid to flow from the conduit 49 into a second discharge conduit 53 which leads to the'head end of the actuator cylinder 22. The conduit 53 may be flexible throughouta portion or all of its length and in the present in-- stance has a loop 54 to provide slack for movement of the carriage ll. Admission of pressure fluid to the interior of the cylinder 22, or exhausting of fluid therefrom, is governed by means of a solenoid control valve 55 having a movable plunger 56 which normally blocks the inlet from the conduit 53 to the head end of the cylinder 22.

The foregoing mechanism may be controlled by means of normally open forward and reverse switches 59, 6I housed Within a common casing 62 which is mounted on the main carriage IT in an easily accessible location. Although the parts 60, 6| are shown as separate switches with individual operating elements, it will be appreciated that a double pole, double throw switch having a single operating element would serve with equal facility. The switch 59 includes normally open contacts 69A which are interposed in the power supply circuit of the solenoid control valve 55 of the main actuator, and normally open contacts 69B which are interposed in the power supply circuit of motor control relay 35. The contacts 59A, 69B are mechanically interconnected for operation in unison. The reverse switch 5!, on the other hand, simply comprises normally open contacts 5 IA which are interposed in the power supply circuit of the solenoid control valve 55, being connected in parallel with the contacts 59A.

When both of the seat units I! and I2, along with the main carriage Il', are to be adjusted in unison in a forward direction, the forward switch 59 is depressed, closing the contacts 8%, 65B, an energizing the solenoid control valve as well as the pump drive motor 32. Upon lifting of the plunger 56 of the solenoid control valve 55, pressure fluid is admitted to the head end of the actuator I9 via the con-duit 45, the relief valve 59, and the conduit This forces the piston 25, the connecting rod 25 and the parallelogram pivot elements 3|, 3 -5, 35 to th right (as viewed in Fig. 6) and thereby moves the carriage H and the seat units II, i2 forwardly. Such movement is, of course, yieldably resisted by the loading spring 28. When the seat units have reached the desired position, the forward switch 59 may then be released, thereby deenergizing the pump driving motor 52 and the sole noid control valve 55. This looks pressure fluid within the head end of the main actuator i9 and serves to maintain the seat units IE, I2 in their common adiusted position. If, on the other hand, it be desired to move the seat units I 9, I2 in unison rearwardly to a different position, it is only necessary to depress the reverse switch SI which energizes the solenoid control valve 55 and lifts its plunger 55. Such action permits pressure fluid to escape from the head end of the actuator I9, permitting the main carriage l? to move rearwardly under the action of the loading spring 29. Pressure fluid exhausted from the main actuator cylinder 22 passes through the conduit 53 and thence under the movabl member 5! of the relief valve 50, emptying from the body of the latter into the reservoir 49 via a discharge conduit 64. When the carriage I? and seat units II, I2 have reached the desired position, the reverse movement may be arrested by simply releasing the reverse switch 'EI, such action deenergizing the solenoid control valve 55 and permitting the plunger 55 to descend and seal in the pressure fluid remaining within the head end of the main actuator cylinder 22.

To protect the hydraulic apparatus against an overload in the event that the seat units II, !2 should encounter an obstruction during their common forward movement, the relief valve Iii] is provided with a stationary upstanding pin 65 of appropriate diameter to enter an orifice 66 in the movable element 5 I. During normal operation, the element 5I simply moves downwardly against its bearing spring 52 until communication is estabished between the pressure conduits 49, 53 but stops before the end of the pin 6 makes contact with ball 68 which seals the orifice 68. In the event of an overload, the pressure built up thereby forces the element 5| further down, causing the pin 65 to unseat the ball 65 and dumping the excess pressure into the reservoir 40 via the exhaust conduit 64.

In order to make the space behind the seat units II, i2 more accessible, shifting means is provided for temporarily shifting the seat unit II and its associated back member I4 bodily to an extreme forward position in response to forward tilting of the back member I4, and for returning the unit I I in a rearward direction to its original position as an incident to rearward tiltin of the member It, all without disturbing the previously selected common adjusted position of the seat units II, I2. This is accomplished in the present instance by the use of the auxiliary carriage I8 and by interposing an auxiliary actuator it between the main carriage I? and the auxiliary carriage I8 (see Figs. 3 and 6). The actuator It! is similar to the main actuator I9 but may be somewhat smaller, comprising a cylinder ll anchored at its head or rearward end in any suitable manner to the main carriage I'l. Slidably housed within the cylinder II is a piston I2 which is fixed to a piston rod 14, the latter having at its projecting end a bracket I5 which is fixed to the auxiliary carriage I8. Also interposed between the carriages I'I, I8 and arranged to act in opposition to the actuator 10 is a tensile loading spring 76 similar to the loading spring 28 of the main actuator. Pressure fluid is conducted to the head end of the actuator 10 by means of a branch conduit 18 connected to the conduit 53 and which includes a flexible portion represented by the loop I9. The actual admission of pressure fluid into the cylinder II or the exhaustion of fluid therefrom is governed by means of a solenoid control valve 80 at its head end. The valve Bil is generally similar to the valve 55, being equipped with a movable plun er BI adapted to open or to block communication between the conduit it and the cylinder II.

Control of the auxiliary actuator 10 in response to forward or rearward tilting of the back memher I 4 is accomplished in this instance by the use of a double pole, double throw switch 82 (Figs. 4,5 and 6) having an operating element such as a roller 84 which may be mountedv on a suitably biased operating member. The switch 7 B2 is mounted in such a position on the carriage I8 that the roller 8 will intercept a cam element 615 which happens to be inte ral with or fixed to a hin e bracket 85 on the seat back member M. The hinge bracket 86 is pivoted to the auxiliary carria e I8 as by means of a trunnion element t3. Housed within the switch 82 are normally open contacts 32A, 52B mechanically interconnected for operation in unison and adapted respectively to energize the solenoid control valve at of the auxiliary actuator III, and the motor control relay 55, via normally closed contacts 39A of a front limit switch 89. Also housed within the switch 82 are normally closed contacts 820 which are adapted to energize the solenoid control valve 80 via normally open contacts 90A 6 of a rear limit switch 90. Both of the limit switches 89, 90 are in this instance fixed to the main carriage H.

In operation, when the back member It of the seat unit I I is tilted forwardly, the cam element accosts the operating element 8 2 of the switch 82 and moves such element in a counterclockwise direction, closing the normally open contacts 82A, 82B. This energizes the pump control relay 45 and the solenoid control valve 89, starting the pump motor 42 and lifting the plunger 8! of the valve 86. Accordingly, pressure fluid is conducted from the pump tl via the conduit 49, the relief valve 59, the conduit 53, and the conduit I3, entering the head end of the auxiliary actuator cylinder II and forcing the piston 12 and its piston rod 74 to the right or in a forward direction against the force of the loading spring "I6. Such action moves the auxiliary carriage I8 ina forward direction relative to the main carriage I'I, carrying with it the seat unit II and the back member M as indicated in Figs. 2 and 5. The forward movement of these units continues until the abutment SI of the auxiliary carriage I8 accosts operating element 92 of the front limit switch, opening the contacts 89A and deenergizing both the relay 45 and the solenoid control valve 80. This locks pressure fluid within the actuator 1i! and arrests the forward movement of the auxiliary carriage I8, the seat unit II and its back member I4, holding such members in their extreme forward position. If, under these conditions, the back member It should be tilted rearwardly to its original and normal attitude, the cam element 85 permits the biased operating element 8.4 of the switch 82 to move in a clockwise direction (as viewed in the drawing), opening the contacts 82A, 82B and closing the contacts 820. Since the carriage i8 and the members thereon are in their extreme forward position when this occurs, the contacts 99A of the rear limit switch 98 are in a closed position, permitting the solenoid control valve 88 to be energized when the contacts 82C are closed. Such action permits pressure fluid to be exhausted from the head end of the auxiliary actuator cylinder II and returned to the reservoir to via the relief valve 5G and the exhaust conduit 64, allowing the members defining the seat unit Ii as well as the auxiliary carriage It to move rearwardly in response to the tensile force of the loading spring Hi. This rearward movement continues until the carriage I 3 and the seat unit II thereon have returned to their original position, illustrated in Figs. 1 and l, at which time the abutment 9| accosts operating element 94 of the rear limit switch S0. Such action opens the contacts 99A of the rear limit switch 88 and deenergizes the solenoid control valve 38. This completes one independent operating cycle for the seat unit II and the auxiliary carriage It associated therewith. Since these members move relative to the main carriage I! and operate without disturbing its power actuating means,

it will be appreciated that the action just described can take place without disturbing the previously selected common position of adjustment of both seat units I I and I2.

Turning now to Figs. 9 to 13, inclusive, there is shown an illustrative seat structure IilA which exemplifies another aspect of the present invention. The seat structure IIlA includes a seat unit IIII having a cushion I02 and a divided back defined by a pair of tiltable back members IM, H15, together with an appropriate supporting'and actuating means; 7 the; divided back, maybe selectively'positioned in a fore-and-aft direction relativeto-the automobile floor in any. suitable manner, as by the use of. suitable power actuated and control means.

Provision is mad for temporarily displacing the seat unit tall in a forward direction from-its previously selected position, and for returning the seat unit it! rearwardly to such selected position, as an incident to fore-and-aft tilting of one of the back members. This is accomplished in the present instance by the use of a main carriage. E55 and an auxiliary carriage it, both disposed in supporting and underlying relation with the-seat unit lei. main carriage I65 may be supported on the automobile floor-in any suitable manner for fore-and-aft movement relative thereto. The auxiliary carriage iEiB is mounted on the main car" bodily movement therewith or relative movement in a fore-and-aft direction with respect thereto. The carriages 35, rec the seat unit Iill-may be controlled and actuated by means of a hydraulic system such as the one illustrated in Fig. 6 and described earlier herein. Consequently, a detailed description of such system will be unnecessary at this point and the present description can be confined primarily to certain struc tural differences between the seat structure 16A and the seat structure iii.

The main carriage Hit of the structure WA is substantially identical with the main carriage i"? of the seat structure In general, it comprises a rectangular frame adapted to be selectively positioned along the floor 21 of the automobile by means of the main hydraulic'actuator is. The actuator It is anchored at one end to the floor bracket 23 and is connected to the main carriage ltd through the parallelogram links 29. The main carriage Hi5 and the seat unit Idlsupported thereon may be adjustably positioned through the use of forward and reverse switch means 66, El housed'witnin a casing G2 which in. this case is mounted under the main carriage.

The auxiliary carriage I538 is also fashioned in the form of a rectangular frame and in this case comprises upright side panels H39, i l connected by appropriate cross members H i, H2. The

auxiliary-carriage Iii-3 is nestingly disposed with-- in the main carriage see and may include roller elements us to facilitate sliding movement relative to the main carriage. back members i 34, Hi5 riage in any suitable manner and are movable bodily therewith.

For the purpose of effecting forward displacement of the seat unit HH in response to forward tilting of one of the back members, for example, the member 104, the auxiliary actuator it is interposed between back panel N5 of the main carriage ltd and the forward transverse structural member H2 of the auxiliary carriage H33 (see Figs. 9 to 11). In this case, the actuator it happens to be mounted centrally of the carriages and substantially overlies the main actuator 12. The loading spring i6 is stretched between a pair of upstanding pins affixed adjacent the respective extremities of the relatively movable parts of the actuator i0.

Control of the movements of the auxiliary actuator and hence of the auxiliary carriage I88 may be accomplished by the use of substantially the same arrangement utilized. for control of the auxiliary-carriage [8. Accordingly, the'side panel 1090f theauxiliary carriage I08 has fixed thereto The cushion m2 and The? seatunite $81, including.

age being susceptible of are mounted on the, carthe control; switch,;82:-, which may be. actuated bythe camv 85 -on hinge member 86' of the backmember I 04. The side panel I09 also carries the depending abutment 9| which is adapted to actuate limit switches 89 and 90 mounted on the main carriage I06.

While the operation of the seat structure [BA willundoubtedly be apparent to those skilled in the; art, a brief. synopsis might be appropriate at this point. Initially, the seat unit iill may be selectively positioned in a fore-and-aft direction by theme of forward or reverse switches E0, 6! which control the main-hydraulic actuator l9 in the manner described earlier herein. Temporary forwarddisplacement.of. the seat unit NH, from thevselected position indicated in solid outline in Fig. 12 to the -extended position indicated in dotdash outline, may be initiated by tilting the back member I04 forwardly. This causes the cam 85 to actuate the control switch 82 so as to close normally open switch contacts 82A and 823. This action starts the pump M and opens the solenoid control valve'of the auxiliary actuator Hi so as to-admit pressure fluid to the latter and move the auxiliary carriage I08 forward against the action of the loading spring 16.

By the time the seat unit NH has arrived at the forwardly extended position indicated in Figs. 11 and-l3, the abutment 9| of the'auxiliary carriage I08 opens the limit switch 89 and deenergizes the pump drivingmotor and-the solenoid 800i the auxiliary actuator control valve. This traps pressure fluid within the auxiliary actuator m and holds the seat unit it: in its forwardly displaced position; If; under these conditions, the back member HM be tilted rearwardly to its normal attitude, they control switch 82 is actuated to close thecontacts 82C, resulting in energizingof thesolenoid- Bil and exhausting of pressure? fluid; from the auxiliary actuator :0,

Consequently-,- the'auxiliary carriage H33 and the seat unit iii! are permittedto move rearwardly under theactionof the biasing spring l'fiuntil the carriage I98 accosts the rear'panel N5 of the main carriage, or some-other appropriate mechanical stop. At this point, the depending abutment 9|- opens the rear limit switch 96 and deenergizes the'solenoid'ilil' of the auxiliary actuator control valve The illustrative seat structures it, 523A do scribed herein maybe modified within the scope of my inventionby eliminating or altering certain elements. The auxiliary carriage may, for example, be eliminated completely and the temporary forward.displacement'of the seat unit may be accomplished by the-use of a single actuator. By the. same token, in a double seat unit installation, the main carriage or frame l'i' common to the two seat units H, I2 may be eliminated and each seat unit may be provided with an individual actuator. The two seat units would be interlocked'foroperation in unison, with provision for releasing the interlocking. upon forward tilting of one ofrtheback members andfor then operating only the actuator associated with the seat unit. having the tilted back. member.

Still another. variant of the invention would include.anarrangement-having a single actuatorfor both seat. units with a mechanical coupling between suchactuator. and the seat. units. coupling would be responsive to tilting of. one of the back members, permitting movement of the seat units in unison or,.a-lternatively, movement of: only one of the seat units.

The

I claim as my invention:

1. An automobile seat structure comprising, in combination, a seat unit having a tiltable back member, an auxiliary frame underlying said seat unit and interconnected therewith for transmitting fore-and-aft movement thereto, a main frame underlying said auxiliary frame, said frames being movable relative to each other in a general fore-and-aft direction and said main frame being movable relative to the floor of the automobile also in a general fore-and-aft direction, means including a hydraulic actuator interposed between said main frame and the floor of the automobile for selectively positioning said main frame, said auxiliary frame, and seat unit relative to the floor, means including a second hydraulic actuator interposed between said auxiliary frame and said main frame, and a control for said second hydraulic actuator responsively associated with said tiltable back member, said control being operable to energize said second actuator for temporarily displacing said auxiliary frame and said seat unit in a forward direction from their normal position on said main frame as an incident to tilting of said back member.

2. A power actuated automobile seat structure comprising, in combination, a seat unit including a cushion and a tiltable back member, power actuated adjusting means for controliably varying the position of said seat unit in a forward and rearward direction relative to the floor of the automobile, and shifting means responsively interconnected with said back member and mechanically connected to said seat unit for temporarily displacing said seat unit in a forward direction and for returning said seat unit to its selected position as an incident to tilting of said back member.

3. In a seat structure for use in a passenger automobile and having a seat unit which includes a tiltable back member, the combination of adjusting means for selectively positioningthe seat unit in a fore-and-ait direction, with shifting means interengageable responsively with said back member and mechanically connected to said seat unit for temporarily displacing the seat unit forwardly from its selected position as an incident to forward tilting of the tiltabie back member and for returning the unit to its previousiy selected position as an incident to rearward tilting movement of the tiitabie back member.

4. A seat structure for use in automobiles of the two-door type and comprising, in combination, a seat unit having a tiitabie back member, adjusting means ior contronably adiusting the normal position of said seat unit in a Iorward and rearward direction relative to the floor of the automobile, and reverse shifting means responsiveiy associated with said back member and mechanically associated with said seat unit I01 displacing said seat unit in a IOIWaIQ and rearward direction as an incident to tilting of said back member without permanently disturbing the adjusted normal position of said seat unit effected by said first means.

5. An automobile seat structure comprising the combination or a seat unit having a tntaole back member, said seat unit being mounted for bodily movement in a fore-and-art direction relative to the automobile floor, a power actuated adjusting means interposed between the floor and said seat unit, control means for selectively adjusting the normal position of said seat unit 10 relative to the floor through said power actuated means, shifting control means for effecting a temporary forward displacement of said seat unit from its selected normal position and for effecting a return of said seat unit to said normal position, and means associated with said back member and said shifting control means for operating the latter in response to tilting movement of the former.

In a seat structure for an automobile, the combination comprising a seat unit having a tiltable back member, said seat unit being mountable on a support for bodily movement relative thereto, means for selectively positioning said seat unit relative to said support, a hydraulic actuator disposed between said seat unit and said support, a source of pressure fluid, a supply conduit for conducting pressure fluid to said actuator, a solenoid control valve in said supply conduit for governing the admission of pressure fluid to said actuator, a normally open control switch responsive to forward tilting of said back member for energizing said solenoid control valve to open the same, an abutment on said seat unit, and a normally closed forward limit switch interposed in the power supply circuit of said control valve, said forward limit switch having an operating element adapted to open the same upon accosting of said element by said abutment.

'7. An adjustably positionable automobile seat structure comprising, in combination, a seat unit including a tilting back member, a movable frame underlying said seat unit in supporting relation therewith, a hydraulic actuator interposed between tne floor of the automobile and said frame for selectively adjusting the normal position of said seat unit relative to the floor, a second hydraulic actuator interposed between said frame and said seat unit for shifting the latter relative to said frame, a source of pressure fluid, electrical control means for admitting pressure fluid to said second hydraulic actuator or for exhausting fluid therefrom, operating means interposed between said seat unit and its back member for operating said electrical control means in response to tilting of said back member, an abutment fixed to said seat unit for movement therewith, and a limit switch on said frame disposed for interception of said abutment, said limit switch being adapted to deenergize said electrical control means at one extreme of movement of said seat unit.

8. In an automotive front seat structure of the character set forth and having a motor driven pressure fluid pump together with a fluid reservoir, the combination comprising a first hydraulic actuator disposed for operation in opposition to a loading spring, relief valve means, a first pressure fluid conduit between the pump and said relief valve means, a second pressure fluid conduit between said relief valve means and said first hydraulic actuator, a solenoid control valve in said second pressure fluid conduit, a pressure actuated movable member within said relief valve adapted to permit communication directly between said pressure fluid conduits or alternatively between said second pressure fluid conduit and an' exhaust conduit, a pump motor control relay, selector switch means for simultaneously energizing said pump motor control relay and said solenoid control valve or for alternatively energizing only said solenoid control valve, a second hydraulic actuator disposed for operation in opposition to a loading spring, a branch conduit connecting said second hydraulic actuator with said second prescetate sure "fluid conduit, a s'econ'dsolenoidcontrol valve interposed in said'branch i conduit, controlswitch means for simultaneously energizing saidpump motor control relay and's'aid se'co'nd'solenoid control valve or alternatively energizing only said second solenoid control valve, said control switch means being adapted'to effect movement of said second hydraulic'actuator in either direction, and spaced apart limit switches connected'with said control switch means and adapted respectively to define'the extremities of movement'of said second hydraulic actuator.

9. Airont seat'structure for automobiles "and comprising, in combination, a first seat section having a tiltable back'memberthereon, a second seat section also having 'a tiltable back member thereon, power'actuating'means for moving one ofsaid seat'sections relative to the other; and control'inean's operativelyconnectedwith said power actuating means "and interengageable responsively with 'said back member 'associated'with said one seat'section to co'ntrolsaid' power actuating means in response to tilting movement of said last' mentioned back member.

'10. A power operated'automobile seat structure comprising, in' combination, 'a' first'seat' unit having a'tiltable back member, a'second seat unit also having a tiltable back member, a movable main carriage'disposed in supporting relation with said seat units for movement of the s'am'e'in'unison, power actuating means for selectively positioning said'main'carriage relative to the floor of the automobile, an auxiliary carriage interposed between sai'd'm'ain carriage and said seco'nd'seat unit, said auxiliary carriage'and said second seat unit being 'movable'relative to said main carriage and said'first unit, and a second power actuating means interposed b-etween'said main carriage and said auxiliary carriage for 'movingthe latter relative'to the former, said second power actuating means being controllable in'response t'o tilting of the back member of saidsecond seat unit.

'11. An automobile seatstructure "comprising the combination of 'a'first seat'unit having a'tiltable back member, 'a second 'seat'unit'also havinga tiltable back memberfa mainframe under lying said seat units and supporting'thesamefor movement in unison, a'main hydraulic actuator interposed between said mainframe and the'flo'or of the automobile," an "auxiliary frame interposed between said main frame and said second seat unit, said auxiliary frameand said "second 'seat unit being movable relative to said mainframe and said first seatunit,an auxiliary hydraulic actuator interposed between said main frame and said auxiliary frame, and means for controlling said auxiliary actuator in response'to tiltingof the back member associated Withsaidseoond seat unit.

12. A'seat structure for an automobile ofthe two-door type and comprising, in combination, a pair of individual seat units each having "a 'corresponding tiltableback member, said seat units being mountable on a support, one of said'seat units and its back member being bodily movable relative to the other of said seat units-and to said support, means for selectively adjusting the' normal position of said seat units in unison, a hydraulic actuator disposed between said movable seat unit and the support, a source of pressure fluid, a supply conduit for conducting pressure fluid to saidaotuator, control valve means in said 12 supply conduit, and means interengageable responsively with said back member of said movable seat unit for operatingsaid control valve means in response to tiltingof said lastmentioned back member.

13. An automobile seat structure comprising, in combination, a seat unit having a pair of individually tiltable back members, an auxiliary carriage underlying said seat unit and bodily movable therewith, a main carriage underlying said auxiliary carriage, said carriages being-movable relative to each other in a fore-and-aft direction and said main carriage being movable relative to the floor of theautomobile in the same general direction, means for selectively positioning said main carriage together with said auxiliary carriage and saidseat unit relative to the floor of the automobile, and means 7 for displacing said auxiliary'carriage together with said seat'unit relative to said main'frame as airin cident to tilting of one-of said-backmembers.

1-4. For use inanautomotive vehicle, a shiftable seat assembly designed to -provide for convenient accessto the rearof the assembly and comprising, in combination, a seat .unit having a" movable back'member --thereon tiltable -to a forward'positionto afford access to the rear-oi the seatunit, --translatory shifting means interconnected with 'saidseating unit and interengageable responsively-with saidback member for temporarily shifting said seatunit forwardlyto an out-of-the-way position response to forward tilting-movement of saidback member and for moving-said seat unit rearwardly in response to rearward tilting movement .ofsaid back member, and seat adjusting --means interconnected with said seat unit-for-limiting rearward movement of said unit by said shifting means to determinethe normal-position of-said unit, said adjusting means being independently operable to adjust said normal position of said sea-t unit.

15. A'passenger seating assembly for use in an automotive vehicle andcomprising, in combination, aseat --unit having aback member movably mounted thereon, said back member being movable forwardly on-said unit to-provi-de convenient access to the rear of said seat unit, power energized shifting means connected-to saidseat unit for selectively producing forward and reverse translation thereof, control -means operatively connected with said shifting means and interengageable responsively with said movable back memberforoperating-said shifting-means to displace -said :seating unit to :Ia forward Ollt- Of-thC-lwayxposition .in response to forward movement ofsaid. back member and to shift said seat .unit reversely ;in iresponse .to -rearward movement of saidbackmember, adjusting. means .ior adjusting the normal;position of said seatunitin-aioreand-aftdirection, and said adjustingmeansbeing interconnected with said seat. unitfor limiting rearward movement of said seat .unit .by .said shifting means at various pre-selected positions.

ARTHUR I. APPLETON.

' "References Citedin'the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,087,003 Engel Feb.-10, 1914 1,636,078 Schreiber July 19, 192'? 2,283,761 Richter May 19, 1942 

